Brush, especially a toothbrush

ABSTRACT

A brush and in particular a tooth brush comprises a brush body and a bristle carrier supporting a plurality of bristles and being preferably removably retained on the brush body. The bristle carrier, consisting of soft-elastic plastic material, is formed as a cap and can be drawn over a projection of the brush body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a brush, in particular a tooth brush, comprisinga brush body and a bristle carrier supporting a plurality of bristlesand being preferably removably retained on the brush body.

The invention is described below, by way of example, as a tooth brush,however, it can be used in the same fashion with other cleaning andapplication devices having bristles, in particular, washing brushes,scrubbing brushes, cleaning brushes, toilet brushes, brooms, paintbrushes, application brushes for creams, powder, cosmetics, medication,spices or paint or even floor treatment brushes, wherein theseapplications are explicitly included in the invention.

A manual tooth brush of conventional construction comprises alongitudinal brush body made in general of plastic material, whose rearsection serves as a handle, and the front head end of which comprises abristle field having a plurality of bristles fixed to the brush body. Anelectrically driven tooth brush has essentially similar construction,wherein the brush body is subdivided into a base part accommodating thedriving motor and serving as handle, and an attachment part supporting,at its front head, the bristle field and comprising a transmission forconverting the motion of an output shaft of the driving motor into anoscillating or back and forth rotating motion of the bristle field.

The bristle field of a tooth brush experiences the largest amount ofwear through use. Since worn or bent bristles insufficiently clean theteeth and damage the gums, it is recommended to replace tooth brushesevery three months. With conventional tooth brushes of this type, withthe bristle field being rigidly connected to the brush body, the bristlebody of manual tooth brushes must be entirely replaced when the bristlesare worn and the attachment part of electric tooth brushes, includingtransmission, must be replaced. It has been realized for some time thatthis procedure is both uneconomical and ecologically questionable.

To prevent these problems, so-called removable head tooth brushes havebeen developed, wherein the bristle field seats on a removable bristlecarrier, in particular in the form of a stable plastic plate whichengages in a depression in the head of the brush body, limited by aprojecting edge. Since the dimensions of the tooth brush head arelimited for handling and application reasons, the edge of the depressionreduces the bristle field size. This limitation is acceptable withmanual tooth brushes. However, with electric tooth brushes whose bristlefield is in any event smaller than that of manual tooth brushes forstructural reasons, the bristle field becomes very small whichconsequently reduces the cleaning effect of the tooth brush.

Moreover, it has been shown that dirt and bacteria can accumulate in thedepression and in the gaps between the brush body and the bristlecarrier which are difficult to remove such that use of some toothbrushes with removable head is questionable with respect to hygiene.

To securely retain the removable bristle head on the brush body, samehas to be sufficiently stable and thus hard which creates the problemthat the sensitive mucous membranes come in contact with relatively hardstructural parts when using the tooth brush. This could cause injuries.

In conventional tooth brushes, the bristles are usually rigidly held inthe bristle carrier. This has the disadvantage that the bristles cannotdeflect in the axial direction during cleaning and can deflect in atransverse direction only due to their intrinsic flexibility. Whenapplying large cleaning forces, these forces transferred to the teethand gums essentially without resilient absorption thereby possiblycausing injuries. It has been attempted to dispose the bristle bundlesin a resilient fashion on the brush support. However, the constructionrequired therefor is very demanding and requires very expensiveproduction methods.

It is the underlying purpose of the invention to produce a brush of thementioned type which avoids the above-mentioned problems and which is ofsimple construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention in a brush ofthe mentioned type in that the bristle carrier, consisting ofsoft-elastic plastic material, is formed like a cap and can be drawnover a projection of the brush body.

In accordance with the invention, the bristle carrier bearing thebristle field is formed as a flexible cap e.g. of an elastomeric plasticmaterial which can be drawn, like a cover, onto a projection, inparticular, on the brush body head such that it surrounds and covers theprojection and is securely held on the projection by tensioning forcesresulting in particular from the elastic deformation of the cap,however, can be removed from same when required. The tensioning orretaining forces of the cap-like bristle carrier are thereby determinedby its ability to deform which depends on its geometric design, its wallthickness and the elastic properties of its material.

The inventive cap-like bristle carrier is drawn over the projection andin particular the head of the brush support and is not inserted therein,which has the essential advantage that the surface of the bristlecarrier is larger than the surface of the projection overlapping it,such that the bristle field can be relatively large.

The soft-elastic and thus very flexible plastic material of the cap-likebristle carrier can be easily deformed in all directions such that thebristles can resiliently deflect in their axial direction and alsoperpendicular thereto when cleaning forces are applied.

The cap-like bristle carrier is held on the projection of the brush bodyby tensioning forces resulting from its elastic deformation therebypreventing formation of gaps between the bristle carrier and the brushbody and accumulation of dirt and resulting formation of bacteria.

The cap-like bristle carrier covering the projection of the brush bodyserves at the same time as mucous membrane protection due to itssoft-elastic material and has the further advantage that theconstructional height of the brush is small.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the bristlecarrier comprises an upper, preferably diaphragm-like covering parthaving bristles on its upper side and supporting, on its lower sidefacing away from the bristles, a preferably continuous and peripheralflexible projecting edge or bridge mounted onto the covering part orformed in one piece therewith. The height of the bridge may be constantor also vary along the circumference. In the mounted state of thecap-like bristle carrier, the projection of the brush body is disposedbelow the covering part and between the peripheral bridge which istensioned on the projection from the outside. Alternatively oradditionally, a bridge may be provided which abuts from the inside on arecess wall in the brush body.

The bristles are disposed at least in partial areas of the upper side ofthe covering part whose whole surface is preferably provided withbristles. Additionally or alternatively, the bristles may be disposed atleast in partial areas of the outer side of the bridge tensioned againstthe projection from the outside.

In a possible embodiment, the covering part of the cap-like bristlecarrier may extend essentially level. The covering part may also have aspatial structure, at least in the mounted state. This can be achievedby providing the upper side of the projection of the brush body with astructured surface and disposing the flexible covering part of thebristle carrier onto the structured upper side of the projection suchthat it abuts and follows said structure. Therein, the spatial course ofthe covering part in the mounted state is determined by the surfacestructure of the projection of the brush body. Alternatively, it is alsopossible to provide the covering part itself with a structured surfacewhich can be effected either during the production process, e.g. duringinjection-molding or injection of the bristles or by subsequentdeformation, in particular compressing or deep-drawing of the initiallyflat covering part.

All embodiments may additionally be provided with bristles havingdiffering bristle lengths and/or bristle orientations forming atopographic structure with different heights.

A further preferred design of the inventive brush provides at least onecavity below and/or within the cap-like bristle carrier. This cavity canprovide the covering part supporting the bristles with elasticresilience, wherein the resilience is determined by the shape of thecavity and can be adjusted as desired by a damping fluid to be filledinto the cavity. Alternatively, the cavity can be used to accommodate amedium to be applied during use of the brush. The medium may either befluid or powdery cosmetics, tooth care products etc. Supply andapplication of the medium can be effected e.g. through openings in theflexible cap-like bristle carrier, hollow bristles or bristle bundles orthrough the capillary effect of bristle bundles.

In a simple embodiment of the cavity, the cap-like bristle carrier canbe disposed onto the projection in such a fashion that an intermediatespace forming said cavity is generated between the lower side of thecovering part of the bristle carrier and the upper side of theprojection such that the cavity is limited by the bristle carrier andthe brush body.

A preferred further development of the invention provides that adividing wall divides the cavity into separate chambers which preferablycontain media having different characteristics which are mixed and reactwith one another, optionally, not before leaving the respective chamber.Moreover, the cavity may contain an agent which reacts with anexternally applied tooth paste or cleaning cream thereby forming anoptimized agent for the intended purpose.

The amount of the medium leaving the cavity or the chambers depends onthe deformation of the cavity and in particular of the covering partlimiting same.

The cavity or the chambers may be provided with a foamed insert which isinserted either as separate pre-fabricated part or injection-molded in amultiple-component injection-molding process during production of thecap-like bristle carrier or introduced by foam mold. The foamed insertserves as a damping member for deformation of the covering partsupporting the bristles. Moreover, the insert may also be soaked with amedium to be applied. The use of hydrophilic foam allows storage ofliquid or gaseous media, contained by said foam, in the cavity. Suchenriched foams are easy to handle and, in particular, can be exchanged.

The cavity can be associated with a storage region connected therewithcontaining a medium to be applied which is supplied, through a passage,to the cavity containing a foamed or sponge insert for throttled anduniformly dosed supply of the medium to the bristle field.

The design of a cavity can also be effected or improved when at leastsections of the brush body are formed as cups and the cap-like bristlecarrier traverses the cup-like area like a cover. If the brush body as awhole is formed like a cup and is traversed and covered by the cap-likebristle carrier, formation of a very flat brush with an inner cavity ispossible which can be filled with a medium to be applied or also chargedwith cartridges, tablets, filled foamed or sponge inserts.

The resilience of the bristle field is determined essentially by thethickness of the diaphragm-like covering part. The deformationpossibilities increase with reduced thickness of the covering part. Withelectrically operated tooth brushes, a covering part thickness in therange between 0.5 and 3.0 mm has been shown to be reasonable. This hasthe essential advantage that the overall height of the brush is verylow. Deformation of the cap-like bristle carrier and in particular ofthe covering part can be further adjusted by forming projections and/orrecesses on the inner side of the bristle carrier and in particular ofthe covering part. The projections form reinforcements which impairdeformation whereas the recesses define areas which are particularlysoft for deformation.

To prevent excessive deformation of the bristle carrier during use andalso guarantee that the bristle carrier returns into its initialposition without load, the inner side of the bristle carrier may beprovided with at least one spring element supported on the brush body.During use, the covering part is deformed against the resilient force ofthe spring element which, when unloaded, returns the covering part intoits initial position. The spring element may preferably be formed by ashackle or bridge fashioned on the lower side of the covering part.

In order to be able to also properly clean inclined surfaces, tilting ofthe bristle field relative to the brush body is advantageously possible.This can be easily achieved when the bridge is flexible in an axialdirection i.e. essentially perpendicular to the covering part and thebristle field. Since the specific elasticity of the bridge is limited,the axial flexibility of the bridge can be assisted when at leastsections thereof are formed as bellows.

The bridge, extending on the outside of the projection of the brushbody, moreover serves as a protective coating and in particular asmucous membrane protection for the user. Elements may be additionallyintegrated in the bridge which provide impact protection and whichresiliently yield with contact. This can be achieved e.g. in that thebridge comprises elastically deformable projections on its outerperipheral surface which may have the shape of a ring, a loop or apunched tape.

A possible embodiment may provide that the bridge extends in the edgearea of the covering part. In an alternative, the covering part mayproject laterally i.e. radially beyond the bridge thereby forming afreely protruding edge projection. These freely protruding edge sectionsmay be particularly flexible and thus contribute to protective mucousmembrane massage. If, during use, a correspondingly equipped brush meetsan inclined surface area, the edge section bends relative to thecovering part such that the inclined surface area is cleanedsimultaneously on both abutting surfaces.

Normally, the tensioning and frictional forces resulting from elasticdeformation of the cap-like bristle carrier are sufficient for retainingsame securely on the projection of the brush body. It is possible toprovide special engagement means for fixing the bristle carrier on thebrush body in a non-rotatable fashion. Special engagement means may alsobe provided to which the bristle carrier is fixed on the brush body in anon-rotatable fashion in the form of e.g. sealing projections providedon the inside of the bridge which engage in corresponding recesses ofthe brush body thereby providing fixation in a non-rotatable and/ornon-lifting fashion. Alternatively, the sealing projections may also beformed on the brush body and the recesses may be formed on the bridge.

The dimensions of the cap-like bristle carrier are adjusted to therespective application. A relatively flat cap may be provided having acovering part with short bridges. However, it is also possible to designthe cap-like bristle carrier like a stocking, i.e. for forming alongitudinal cylinder with relatively long bridges as is e.g. requiredfor forming an interdental brush or individual rotating bristle bundles.

The bristles may be pre-fabricated and mounted to the bristle carrier ina conventional fashion. Alternatively, it is also possible to form thebristles in one piece with the bristle carrier and in particular toinjection-mold them together using a one-component or two-componentmethod. It is possible to form bristles of different shape, differentmaterials and different orientation on the bristle carrier.

When the cap-like bristle carrier has a cavity, the pressure increaseoccurring during deformation of the flexible bristle carrier in thecavity can be utilized for actuating an indicator element. The indicatorelement can e.g. be a displaceably disposed piston which is pushedoutwardly when the cavity increases and is retracted into its initialposition when the deformed bristle carrier is returned, therebyproducing an indication of the pressing force which the user applies tothe bristles. Alternatively or additionally, the medium contained in thecavity could change color under pressure to thereby also represent apressure indication.

The pressure increase in the cavity may also open an outlet valve for amedium to be applied which is contained in the cavity, thereby ensuringthat the medium can exit the cavity only upon application of acorresponding pressure by the user.

Deformation of the flexible bristle carrier can be used directly foradjusting an actuating element in that the displacement of partial areasof the wall of the cap-like bristle carrier occurring during deformationis converted directly into adjustment of a mechanical indicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further details and features of the invention can be extracted from thefollowing description of embodiments with reference to the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a representation of the front end of a tooth brush withattached cap-like bristle carrier;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a brushwith attached bristle carrier;

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of abrush with attached bristle carrier;

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a modification of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the bristle carrier in accordance withFIG. 2;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with a modifiedgeometrical shape;

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of the bristle carrier withreinforcement;

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with a recess;

FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with spring element;

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with an alternativespring element;

FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with a deformablebridge;

FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with lateralprotection elements;

FIG. 16 shows a view from below of the bristle carrier in accordancewith FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows a further alternative embodiment of the bristle carrier inaccordance with FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 shows a modification of the bristle carrier in accordance withFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a further alternative embodiment of the bristle carrier inaccordance with FIG. 2;

FIG. 20 shows a modification of the bristle carrier in accordance withFIG. 19;

FIG. 21 shows a view from below of a bristle carrier with non-rotationalfixation;

FIG. 22 shows a view from below of a bristle carrier with alternativeembodiment of the non-rotating fixation;

FIG. 23 shows a sectional view of a stocking-shaped bristle carrier;

FIG. 24 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with engagementfixation;

FIG. 25 shows a sectional view of an alternative of a bristle carrierwith engagement fixation;

FIG. 26 shows a bristle carrier on a plate-shaped projection;

FIG. 27 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier of severalcomponents;

FIG. 28 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier of severalstructural parts;

FIG. 29 shows a sectional view of a brush with cap-shaped bristle body;

FIG. 30 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with cavity;

FIG. 31 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier with cavity andstorage region;

FIG. 32 shows a horizontal section through a bristle carrier comprisinga multiple chamber cavity;

FIG. 33 shows a sectional view of a bristle carrier withinjection-molded bristles;

FIG. 34 shows a sectional representation of a bristle carrier withindicator element;

FIG. 35 shows an alternative embodiment of the bristle carrier inaccordance with FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 a shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a first functional state;

FIG. 36 b shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a second functional state;

FIG. 37 a shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a first functional state;

FIG. 37 b shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a second functional state;

FIG. 38 a shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a first functional state;

FIG. 38 b shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a second functional state;

FIG. 39 a shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a first functional state;

FIG. 39 b shows a sectional representation of a bristle support withalternative indicator element in a second functional state;

FIG. 40 shows a sectional view of a brush body with two attached bristlecarriers;

FIG. 41 shows a further development of the embodiment of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 a shows a sectional representation of a bristle support with avalve in a first functional state; and

FIG. 42 b shows a sectional representation of a bristle support with avalve in a second functional state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the front part of a tooth brush 10 with a brush body 11serving as handle comprising, at its front end, a block-like projection11 a serving as support. A flexible cap-like bristle carrier 13 is drawnover the projection 11 a and supports a plurality of bristles 12 on itsupper side. FIG. 2 shows that the bristle carrier 13 comprises a flatdiaphragm-like covering part 13 a which supports the bristles 12 on itsupper side and comprises, in the edge area on its lower side facing awayfrom the bristles 12, a peripheral bridge 13 b projecting downwardly.The inner dimensions of the bristle carrier 13 are somewhat smaller thanthe outer dimensions of the projection 11 a such that it can be attachedto the projection 11 a under elastic deformation without play. Due tothe elastic deformation, the peripheral bridge 13 b of the bristlecarrier 13 stretches over the projection 11 a from the outside and issecurely held thereon.

The bristles 12 may extend parallel or at an angle to one another,wherein in the latter case, they project laterally over the bristlecarrier thereby increasing the work surface. Alternatively, it is alsopossible to bend the bristles individually and/or orient them indifferent directions or crosswise.

While the projection 11 a represented in FIG. 1 comprises an essentiallyhorizontal surface on which the covering part 13 a of the bristlecarrier 13 is level, in FIG. 3 the surface of the projection 11 a isconvex which gives the covering part 13 a of the drawn-over bristlecarrier 13 a likewise convex shape.

In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 4, the covering part 13 a alsofollows the surface structure of the projection ha which is wavy in thepresent case.

In accordance with FIG. 5, the covering part 13 a of the bristle carrier13 has a convex shape and is disposed at a separation from the surfaceof the projection 11 a thereby forming a cavity 14 between the bristlecarrier 13 and the projection 11. Upon exertion of external pressureonto the bristles 12, the bristle carrier 13 may resiliently yieldtowards the inside, whereby the fluid contained in the cavity 14, e.g.air, damps deformation of the bristle carrier 13. In a furtherdevelopment in accordance with FIG. 6, a foamed body 15 can beintroduced into the cavity 14 whose specific elasticity dampsdeformation of the bristle carrier 13. The foamed body 15 may be filledwith a liquid or gaseous medium to be applied, wherein the medium mayexit through passages 16 (FIG. 7) formed in the covering part 13 a ofthe bristle carrier 13.

In the previous embodiments, the bristle carrier 13 is provided withbristles on the upper side of the covering part 13 a only. FIG. 8 showsan embodiment wherein the outer surface of the bridge 13 b has alsobristles 12. Therein, the bridge 13 b for forming a longitudinalstocking-shaped hollow body may be relatively long (FIG. 9).

The bristles 12 may be disposed over the entire surface of the outerside of the bristle carrier 13 or only on partial areas thereof.Moreover, the bristles may have identical or different lengths and form,with their tip sections, a covering surface of any topographic shape.

In the embodiment of the bristle carrier 13 shown in FIG. 10, aprojection 18 serving as reinforcement is formed on the lower side ofthe covering part 13 a by means of which the deformation characteristicsof the covering part 13 a change with external load and can be adjustedto the desired application. While the projection 18 increases therigidity of the covering part 13 a, the covering part 13 a may alsoalternatively comprise recesses 19 which reduce the rigidity of thecovering part (FIG. 11).

In accordance with FIGS. 12 and 13, spring elements 20 are provided orformed on the lower side of the covering part 13 a which are supportedon the upper side of the projection 11 a. The spring elements 20 arecompressed during external loading of the covering part 13 a andguarantee that the covering part is forced back into its initialposition after de-loading. In accordance with FIG. 12, the springelement 20 is formed by a strap-like shackle held at both ends on thecovering part 13 a. In FIG. 13, a double S-shaped support is provided asspring element which is mounted on its upper end to the covering part 13and is supported with its lower end on the projection 11 a.

In accordance with FIG. 14, the bridge 13 b of the bristle carrier 13 isformed sectionally as bellows 21 thereby enabling tilting of thecovering part 13 a, having the bristles 12, relative to the projection11 a during use without the danger that the bristle carrier 13 slidesoff from the projection 11 a. This provides good, resilient support ofthe bristles, even on an inclined cleaning surface.

The bridge 13 b abutting the side surface of the projection 11 in themounted state also serves as a protective coating and, in particular ina tooth brush, as mucous membrane protection. FIGS. 15 and 16additionally provide that the bridge 13 b comprises, on its outerperipheral surface, elastically deformable projections 22 which areformed by sectionally wavy configuration of the bridge 13 b inaccordance with FIG. 16.

FIGS. 17 and 18 show two embodiments wherein the covering part 13 aprojects laterally or radially outwardly over the bridge 13 b therebyforming a freely protruding edge section 13 c. In this fashion, the worksurface provided with bristles 12 is increased and, due to theflexibility of the freely protruding edge section 13 c, they can easilyabut on and clean a curved or angled surface. FIG. 18 shows a furtherdevelopment, wherein the outer sections of the freely protruding edgesections 13 c are bent downwardly thereby forming an outwardly curved,convex section.

The deformability of the bristle carrier 13 is determined i.a. by itsgeometric design. To provide the peripheral bridge 13 b, whichessentially has a holding function, with sufficient stability and tosimultaneously allow easy deformation of the covering part 13 a, thesetwo sections may have different wall thicknesses, as shown in FIG. 19.Therein, the slightly stronger bridge 13 b continuously passes over intothe relatively thin covering part 13 a. To prevent excessive deformationin the central region of the covering part 13 a, this area may have alarger wall thickness, e.g. a reinforcement 18 as represented in FIG.20.

To retain the bristle carrier 13 on the projection 11 a in anon-rotatable fashion, the inner side of the bridge 13 b is providedwith a single recess 30 (shown in FIG. 21), which can engage with acorrespondingly formed nose (not shown) of the projection 11 a.Alternatively and in accordance with FIG. 22, the inner peripheralsurface of the bridge 13 b may be polygonal and, in particular, inaccordance with the figure, octagonal and disposed on a correspondingpolygonal projection.

FIG. 23 shows the bristle carrier 13 as a longitudinal stocking-shapedcylinder with a relatively small covering part 13 b supporting bristleson its upper side configured in the shape of a triangle. Such a bristlecarrier may be used as a bristled cap for interdental brushes or as aremovable cap for electric tooth brushes having individual rotatingbristle bundles.

To secure the cap-shaped bristle carrier 13 on the projection 11 a, theinner side of the bridge 13 b, in the embodiment in accordance with FIG.24, comprises a peripheral inward facing engagement nose 23 which canengage in a correspondingly formed recess of the projection 11 a. Inaccordance with FIG. 25, the upper section 11 a 1 of the projection 11 ais bulged to the outside and is undercut by the bridge 13 b of theflexible bristle carrier 13. In a further embodiment in accordance withFIG. 26, the projection 11 a is formed as a plate and is undercut by thebridge 13 b of the attached cap-like bristle carrier 13.

The bristle carrier 13 can be made from one single material. However,FIGS. 27 and 28 show that the covering part 13 a and the bridge 13 b canbe produced from different flexible plastic materials, in particular viaa two-component injection-molding process. In this fashion, the materialproperties of the individual areas can be well adapted to their requiredfunction during use. Alternatively (FIG. 28), the covering part 13 a andthe bridge 13 b may be pre-fabricated and connected to one another laterby welding, gluing, clamping or in any other manner.

As mentioned above, a cavity 14 may be formed between the projection 11a of the brush body 11 and the cap-like bristle carrier 13. Formation ofthe cavity 14 is facilitated when sections of the projection 11 a of thebrush body 11 are cap-shaped or when it is entirely formed like a cap,as shown in FIG. 29. A foamed insert is thereby inserted in the cavity14.

FIG. 30 shows an embodiment wherein a further dividing wall 13 d extendsbetween the inner wall of the bridge 13 b of the bristle carrier 13below the covering part 13 a such that the cavity 14 is formed withinthe bristle carrier 13 between the upper covering part 13 a and thelower dividing wall 13 d. The further development shown in FIG. 31 isprovided with a storage region 25 for a medium to be applied which islocated below the cavity 14 in which a foamed insert 24 is disposed. Thecavity 14 is separated from the storage region 25 by a dividing wall 31provided with passages 26. The medium may flow from the storage region25 through the passages 26 into the foamed insert 24 of the cavity 14and is delivered therefrom to the bristles 12 via passages 16 in theupper covering part 13 a.

As shown in FIG. 32, the cavity 14 may be subdivided by inner dividingwalls 32 into several separate chambers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c which canaccommodate various media which flow together and react following exit.

FIG. 33 shows an embodiment. The bristles are not pre-fabricated by aspinning method and then mounted to the bristle carrier, rather areproduced in one piece therewith using a one-or two-componentinjection-molding process.

FIGS. 34 to 39 b show various embodiments wherein the load-relatedpressure increase in the cavity 14 occurring during deformation of thebristle carrier 13 is indicated by an indicator. In accordance with FIG.34 a displaceable piston 27 is disposed in a connection piece-shapedsection 13 e of the bridge 13 b of the bristle carrier 13. When the userpresses from the outside on the bristles 12 or the covering part 13 a(arrow D), the volume of the cavity 14 is reduced and the inner pressureincreases thereby pushing the piston 27 outwardly as indicated by arrowS in FIG. 34. The user can observe the pushed-out piston. The degree ofdisplacement of the piston 27 indicates the inner pressure of the cavity14 and thus the external pressure applied by the user. The displacementof the piston 27 can also serve for triggering further mechanical,acoustical and/or electrical signals.

In accordance with FIG. 35, a support acting as spring 20 is formed onthe lower side of the covering part 13 a and is supported on the upperside of the projection 11 a. Also in this case, a piston 27 isdisplaceably disposed in a passage of the bridge 13 b which abuts withits inner end on the spring 20. If the user presses from the outsideonto the bristles 12 or the covering part 13 a (arrow D), the spring 20is laterally deflected thereby outwardly displacing the piston 27, asshown by arrow S.

In accordance with FIG. 36 a, a thin-walled closing diaphragm 28 isformed on the outer side of a pipe socket-shaped passage 36 formed inthe bridge 13 b which, with increasing inner pressure, can be blown uplike a balloon, as indicated in FIG. 36 b, thereby providing anindication of the pressure applied by the user onto the bristles (arrowD).

In accordance with FIGS. 37 a and 37 b, a passage 37 is directly formedin the wall of the bridge 13 b and sealed by a closing diaphragm 28which can be expanded and—as shown in FIG. 38 b—bulges outwardly withincreased inner pressure in the cavity 14. Therein, the closingdiaphragm 28 may be pre-fabricated as a separate structural part andthen mounted in the passage 37. It is, however, also possible toinjection-mold the closing diaphragm 28 on the bridge 13 b, in onepiece.

A similar closing diaphragm 28 may be formed in a passage 34 of a lid 33closing the lower side of the bristle carrier 13 (FIG. 38 a) whichcurves downwardly with increased inner pressure (FIG. 38 b).

In accordance with the embodiment of FIGS. 39 a and 39 b, an indicatorbar 29 is displaceably guided in the lid 33 and is formed, at its upperend, on the covering part 13 a. When the covering part 13 a isdownwardly deformed by application of external pressure, the indictorbar 29 is pushed downwardly out of the lid 33 (FIG. 39 b) and can bedirectly used as a pressure indicator or, as described above, fortriggering a corresponding signal.

FIG. 40 shows an embodiment with which one cap-like bristle carrier 13is disposed on each of two different sides of a projection 11 a of abrush body 11. If the inner space of the projection 11 a in accordancewith FIG. 41 is divided by a dividing wall 11 a 2 into two separatechambers, different media can be disposed therein to each be associatedwith one specific bristle carrier 13, such that the user can select theone or other medium depending on the orientation of the brush.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 42 a and 42 b, apassage 16 is provided in the covering part 13 a which can be closed oropened by means of an adjustable valve element 35. The valve element 35is disposed on the lower side of the covering part 13 a via a strapformed thereon as a single piece and can be adjusted between the closingand opening position under elastic deformation of the strap 34.

1. A brush comprising: a brush body having a projection; a plurality ofbristles; a cap-shaped bristle support made from a soft-elastic plasticand supporting said plurality of bristles, said bristle support disposedover said projection for retention on said brush body, wherein saidcap-shaped bristle support and said brush body are structured to definea cavity disposed between said bristle support and said brush body,wherein a dividing wall subdivides said cavity into separate chambers.2. The brush of claim 1, wherein the brush is a tooth brush.
 3. Thebrush of claim 1, wherein said cavity is delimited by said bristlesupport and said brush body.
 4. The brush of claim 1, wherein a dampingfluid is received in said cavity.
 5. The brush of claim 1, wherein amedium to be applied is received in said cavity.
 6. The brush of claim5, wherein said bristle support defines at least one passage for saidmedium.
 7. The brush of claim 1, further comprising a foamed insertdisposed within said cavity.
 8. The brush of claim 7, wherein saidfoamed insert is soaked with a medium to be applied.
 9. The brush ofclaim 1, wherein a storage region for a medium to be applied is formedbelow said cavity and communicates with said cavity via at least onepassage.
 10. The brush of claim 1, wherein said bristle support isretained on said brush body in a removable fashion.
 11. The brush ofclaim 1, wherein said bristle support is drawn over said projection ofsaid brush body.
 12. The brush of claim 1, wherein said bristle supportcomprises a covering part having a continuous peripheral bridge which isclamped onto said projection of said brush body from an outside.
 13. Thebrush of claim 12, wherein at least some of said bristles are disposed,on an upper side of said covering part.
 14. The brush of claim 12,wherein at least some of said bristles are disposed on an outside ofsaid bridge.
 15. The brush according of claim 1, wherein an upper sideof said projection of said brush body has a surface structure, saidbristle support being disposed onto said projection to abut against andfollow said structure.
 16. The brush of claim 12, wherein said coveringpart has a surface structure.
 17. The brush of claim 1, wherein saidbrush body cap-shaped.
 18. The brush of claim 12, wherein an inner sideof said covering part is provided with at least one of projections andrecesses.
 19. The brush of claim 1, wherein at least one spring element,supported on said brush body, is formed on an inner side of said bristlesupport.
 20. The brush of claim 12, wherein said bridge is axiallyflexible.
 21. The brush of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of saidbridge is formed as a bellows.
 22. The brush of claim 12, wherein saidbridge is elastically deformable in a radial direction.
 23. The brush ofclaim 12, wherein said bridge comprises elastically deformableprojections on an outer peripheral surface thereof.
 24. The brush ofclaim 12, wherein said covering part projects laterally, radially beyondsaid bridge to thereby form a freely protruding edge section.
 25. Thebrush of claim 1, wherein said brush support is held on said brush bodyin a non-rotatable fashion.
 26. The brush of claim 12, wherein sealingelements are formed on an inner side of said bridge for engagement withcorresponding recesses of said brush body.
 27. The brush of claim 1,wherein said bristles are formed as one piece together with said bristlesupport.
 28. The brush of claim 27, wherein said bristles areinjection-molded.
 29. The brush of claim 1, further comprising anindicator element adjustably disposed on said bristle support, whereinsaid indicator element can be actuated upon deformation of said bristlesupport.